Original Articles

  • CalHHS Secretary Extends Mask Mandate to Mid-February

    January 7, 2022

    Mark Ghaly, M.D., MPH, California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS) secretary, has extended California’s indoor mask mandate by another full month. The masking requirement intended to combat the coronavirus pandemic now runs through February 15. While citing a recent surge in the state’s positivity rate to over 21 percent, Ghaly also noted data on […]

  • Fed-OSHA seeks suggestions for strengthening VPP

    June 27, 2017

    Fed-OSHA is holding a stakeholder meeting July 17, in Washington, D.C., to discuss the future direction of its Voluntary Protection Programs. The agency’s aim is to “reshape VPP so that it continues to represent safety and health excellence, leverages partner resources, further recognizes the successes of long-term participants, and supports smart program growth.” Fed-OSHA is […]

Curated Content Articles of Interest from Around the Web

    Less Staff Won’t Mean Fewer OSHA Inspections

    Labor Secretary Pledges No Reduction in Inspections

    • Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer told congressional leaders a smaller OSHA can still be as effective as the current staffing to keep workers safe.
    • She made the commitment in a June 5 appearance before the House Education and Workforce Committee on OSHA’s budget.
    • “My department is hard at work collaborating with the Departments of Commerce and Education to unlock the potential of the American worker. We are looking to strengthen registered apprenticeships, modernize workforce development programs and invest in opportunities that upskill workers to meet current labor market demands,” Chavez-DeRemer said in her opening statement.
      READ MORE

     

    MSHA Launches Information Hub

    • The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration has launched a website that features compliance assistance materials and answers to FAQs.
    • The new, free MSHA Information Hub highlights safety and health information, training resources, mining data trends, policy guidance, and other items commonly searched for on the agency’s website.
    • “The MSHA Information Hub is part of MSHA’s ongoing commitment to transparency, accessibility and innovation,” James McHugh, deputy assistant secretary for policy at MSHA, said in a press release. “We want to make it easier for people to get the information they need, when they need it.”
    • MSHA said that the hub would be updated regularly “to ensure the mining community stays informed and supported.”
      READ MORE

     

    TRAM Conference Seeks Mine Safety Training Program Submissions

    • Ahead of November’s annual Training Resources Applied to Mining Conference, or TRAM, the Mine Safety and Health Administration is seeking submissions of mine safety training materials for its competition.
    • Due by Sept. 1, the entries can be original health and safety training materials developed or majorly revised since the 2024 TRAM Seminar.
    • Materials should address pertinent training requirements outlined in Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations (30 CFR) Parts 1-199, including Part 75 – Subpart P – Mine Emergencies.
    • Winners of the Training Materials Competition are determined by the judges’ evaluation prior to the beginning of the November Conference.
    • Each participant will receive a Certificate of Appreciation. Entries demonstrating an acceptable level of excellence will be presented with an MSHA Blue Ribbon.
      READ MORE